“Wall of ignorance that prevents beings from seeing each other clearly can only be breached by communication. And communication is only effective when we understand the forms that communication can take.”
-Scott McCloud

Understanding Comics was more that just enlightening of how to engage with comics but also in understanding all forms of art. As a pragmatic person and someone who was trained in both music and fashion design, I have tended to focus on the how more than the why in my practice. When looking to go deeper, I’ve struggled with how to find more meaning in the art forms I am drawn to and, for that mater, those that I am not. Specifically, the use of abstraction as a tool in art was made clearer to me through the writer’s use of comics. Seeing how one can move between the worlds of pictures, reality and language to explore form and ideas. Being shown the examples of what have been done by artists in the past using abstraction allowed me to better see what they were focusing on.

The quote I’ve listed above spoke to what I’m feeling about not only my art but the world. Through communication can we start to see each other as we desire to be seen. Unfortunately, we also need to understand how to communicate and the different forms that we as humans use to communicate. I’ve noticed myself being dismissive when people communicate with me in a way that I am not wiling to listen to or that I do not notice. This might be nonverbal, physical, text, or even through buying of a gift. Just like how the various love languages we use with those we care about can be misunderstood, so are the visual forms of communication, like comics, are misunderstood. In learning their form, we can better understand what others are trying to communicate.

On a more personal note in relation to my craft, I am inspired by the authors six steps to creation. I struggle with getting past the outer layer of creation and into experimenting with form and ideas. I tend to get caught up with the physical making while simultaneously being overwhelmed with the focus on creating something deep and meaningful (ideas). I found encouragement in McCloud’s examples of artists working through their craft. I hope to one day be able to solidify my ideas on my art in order to explore form more.

I also too that the six steps in creation are a two way path. The initial creation is followed 1 through 6 but to delve deeper into the art form, a more contemplative exploration in reverse is the path to take.

I was intrigued by the author’s notes on the characteristics of a line. Just like the lines of pencil on paper, the stitches of a textile artist can also convert emotion and story.